Hiring the Right Coaches: How the Best Build Their Staff with Keith Allen

From the Arena Podcast Network Hiring the right coaches isn’t easy—and there’s no formula. In this 4th and 3 coaches’ office conversation, Randy Jackson sits down with Keith Allen, Head Coach at Schreiner University, to break down how elite staffs are actually built. Not by stacking résumés, but by finding the right people, creating alignment, and building real chemistry. Keith walks through his approach to hiring from the ground up—starting with his first moves at Schreiner and how he evaluates candidates beyond scheme knowledge. A key theme of the conversation: get candidates out of their comfort zone during the interview process. Rather than allowing polished presentations, Keith shares why it’s important to: Move candidates out of the office and observe how they interact with others See how they communicate, listen, and carry themselves in real settings Involve coordinators and trusted staff members in the interview process to get multiple perspectives If you’re a head coach navigating hiring season—or preparing for it—this is a practical, no-nonsense conversation with ideas you can use immediately.